The first ever marathon race to be held in Tokyo was the Tokyo International Marathon founded in 1981. It actually consisted of two marathons: the Tokyo International Marathon was held on even years and Tokyo – New York Friendship International Marathon was held on odd years. The event was only open to male elite runners. Between 1979 and 2008 the city also hosted the Tokyo International Women’s Marathon for elite female runners.
In 2004, the City of Tokyo and the Japan Association of Athletics Federation started discussing the inauguration of a metropolitan marathon open to general athletes of both genders. As a result, the Tokyo International Marathon was replaced with the Tokyo Marathon in 2007. The 2007 marathon featured 30,000 participants. 25,000 runners signed up for the marathon race and the rest participated in the 10K run. The Tokyo Marathon joined the Abbott World Marathon Majors starting in 2013.
The Tokyo Marathon is organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation with the assistance of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and a number of sponsors and partners. It includes two main events: a marathon race for athletes and wheelchair athletes of both genders and a 10K race for junior athletes between 16 and 18 years old, intellectually challenged athletes, visually impaired athletes, organ transplant recipients, and wheelchair athletes.
The marathon is open to general participants, semi-elite athletes and elite athletes who must be at least 19 years old on the race day. The 10K race is open to runners aged 16 and above (the maximum age limit in the Junior & Youth Category is 18 years). Over 300,000 people apply for the race ever year but the maximum number of participants is limited – 35,000 runners for the marathon and 500 runners for the 10K race.
The Tokyo Marathon serves a selection race of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics every two years as the Championships is a biennial event.
Photo: Carlos Donderis
